PepsiCo has appointed Maura Abeln Smith to the position of executive vice president of government affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective May 5.  Smith will succeed Larry Thompson, who is retiring from the company to assume a teaching position at the University of Georgia Law School.

In her new role, Smith will be responsible for the company's worldwide legal function and government affairs organization. She will report to PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi,

Smith, who has nearly 30 years of experience as a corporate attorney, most recently served for eight years as senior vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary and global government relations of International Paper, a global paper and forest products company.  

Prior to joining International Paper, Smith served for five years as SVP, general counsel and secretary at Owens Corning, a global building materials business. While at International Paper, she oversaw the company's reorganization as chief restructuring officer and served as a member of the board of directors.  She also spent eight years at General Electric, where she was vice president and general counsel at the GE Plastics Division. Earlier in her career, she was a partner at the law firm Baker & McKenzie.